Introduction to Makki and Madani Surah
Here we discuss about difference between Makki and Madani surah in the Holy Quran. The Holy Qur’an is unique among all the religious literature of the world. The recording and preservation of the Holy Qur’an is miraculous.
The Almighty Allah itself took responsibility for its preservation. It is distinct in its narration from the other world’s literature. The revelation of the Qur’an was started on Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at the age of 40 years and it took 23 years to complete.
Different Views Regarding the Definitions of Makki and Madani Surah

- The Surahs or verses (Ayaat) that were sent down before the Migration to Medina (Hijrah) are Makki and those that were sent down after the Migration are Madani. The criterion for that classification is time. The place of revelation is not taken into consideration.
- The Surahs or verses that were revealed in and around Mecca (like Arafat, Mina, Taif, etc.) are Makki and those sent down in and around Medina are Madani (like Badr, Uhud, etc.)
- The Surahs or verses that address the people of Mecca are Makki and those that address the people of Medina are Madani. However, the third view is not common and not well accepted.
Different Views Regarding the Numbers of Makki and Madani Surah

The Difference Between Makki and Madani Surah

Distinguished Features and Teachings of Makki Surahs (Chapters)
- The first difference between Makki and Madani Surah is that the main theme of the Makki Surahs was to establish logical proofs for Islamic monotheism (Tauheed) while focusing on the attributes and power of Allah. For example-
- The Makki part emphasizes the belief of Risalah (guidance of mankind through Allah’s selected Prophets and Messengers) and Aakhira (destruction of this world and the life hereafter that includes physical and spiritual resurrection of humankind, the Day of Judgment and the life of paradise or hell). Such as –
“We send not the Messengers save as bearers of good news and warners. Who so believeth and doth right, there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.”
- The Makki Surahs narrate the stories of the bloody killings of the Polytheists (Mushriks), the misappropriation of the wealth of the orphans, the burial of the alive female children, and their various bad practices and ill behaviors.
- The Makki Surahs narrate the facts of the earlier Prophets and the stories of the miserable consequences of their disobedient Ummah.
“Messengers indeed have been denied before thee, and they were patient under the denial and the persecution till Our succor reached them. There is none to alter the decisions of Allah. Already there hath reached thee (somewhat) of the tidings of the messengers (We sent before).”
- These Surahs emphasize the importance of the contents which is presented through the swearing of the famous objects.
- Makki Surahs include the two most important Surahs that are known as “Al-Mua’wwadhateyn”, related to the prayers for protection. These two are for protection from fears proceeding from the unknown. In these Surahs, protection is sought especially from the evil in a man’s own heart and in the hearts of other men. Some verses are given below:
Distinguished Features and Teachings of the Madani Surahs (Chapters)
- The Madani part emphasizes ‘Ibadat (servitude to Allah), social behaviors, customs, mutual transactions, Halal and Haram, the law of inheritance, rewards of Jihad (Religious war), trade and commerce, foreign policy, judicial system, criminal procedure code, personal, familial, socio-economic, political and community life.
- In Madani Surahs, a description of the apathy of the People of the Book (Ahle Kitab) towards truth and their hypocritical behavior has been described. The hypocrisy of the Hypocrites (Munafiqs) and their conspiracy against Islam and Prophet Muhammad (SAW) have been unveiled in these Surahs except the Surah of Ankabut. It is because the hypocrites emerged in Medina.
- The Madani Surahs and verses (Ayaat) are lengthy. The objectives and aims of Shari’ah (Islamic Law) have been explained in simple, clear, and detailed language.
List of Makki and Madani Surahs

Surah Name
Surah Type
Al-Fatiha
Al-Baqara
Aal-e-Imran
An-Nisa
Al-Mai’da
Al-Anaam
Al-Aaraff
Al-Anfaal
At-Tauba
Younus
Hood
Yusuf
Ar-Raad
Ibrahim
Al-hijr
An-Nahal
Bani-Israeel
Al-Kahaf
Marium
Tahaa
Al-Anmbiya
Al-Hajj
Al-Mominoon
Al-Noor
Al-Furqan
Ash-Shooaraa
An-Namal
Al-Qasass
Al-Ankaboot
Ar-Room
Luqman
Assajdah
Al-Ahzaab
Saba
Faatir
Yaseen
As-Saaffaat
Suaad
Az-Zumur
Momin
Ha-Meem-Assajdah
Ash-Shooraa
Az-Zukhruf
Ad-Dukhaan
Al-Jasiya
Al-Ehkaaf
Muhammad
Al-Fatah
Al-Hujraat
Qaaf
Az-Zariyaat
Att-Toor
An-Najam
Al-Qamar
Ar-Rehman
Al-Waqiya
Al-Hadeed
Al-Mujadala
Al-Hashar
Al-Mumtahina
As-Saff
Al-Juma
Al-Munafiqoon
Att-Taghabunn
Att-Tallaq
Att-Tehreem
Al-Mulk
Al-Qalam
Al-Haaqqaa
Al-Maariij
Nooh
Al-Jinn
Al-Muzammil
Al-Mudassir
Al-Qiyama
Ad-Dahar
Al-Mursilaat
An-Naba
An-Naziaat
Abas
At-Takveer
Al-Infitaar
Al-Mutafifeen
Al-Inshiqaaq
Al-Burooj
At-Tariq
Al-Aala
Al-Ghashiya
Al-Fajar
Al-Balad
Ash-Shams
Al-Lail
Ad-Dhuha
Ash-Sharah
At-Teen
Al-Alaq
Al-Qadar
Al-Bayyina
Az-Zilzaal
Al-Aadiyaat
Al-Qariya
At-Takasur
Al-Asar
Al-Humaza
Al-Feel
Quraish
Al-Maoon
Al-Kausar
Al-Kafiroon
An-Nasar
At-Tabbatt
Al-Ikhlaas
Al-Falaq
An-Naas
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